BENGALURU: Sukanth Rallapati (40), an IT consultant in Bengaluru, is taking an interesting culinary route to celebrate the recent SC verdict on Section 377 decriminalising homosexuality and to narrate his story of coming out as gay. He is hosting a seven-course sit-down dinner in Telugu cuisine at a chef’s table curated in Domlur this Sunday.
While serving favourites from his mother’s kitchen like puffed-rice upma and chutneys, the passionate cook will tell his tale of struggle with sexual identity, his loving partner of seven years and how the journey impacted his cooking. It’s food with a context. “Some paint. Some write. I choose to express myself through food,” he says.
Rallapati’s dinner is just one of the unusual sit-downs hosted by the Supper Club, a concept communal dining launched in the city recently. It is the next step in experiential dining. Giving dining table conversations a twist, the club hosts food-and-storytelling sitdowns in an intimate home setting for a price.
Some Gay & Lesbian Films That Left A Mark
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Signalling winds of change, the Supreme Court on Thursday lifted a colonial-era ban on gay sex . A five-judge panel in the Supreme Court was unanimous in its decision to end the law, commonly known as "Section 377", that prohibits "carnal intercourse against the order of nature with any man, woman or animal".
As the country, and the world hails the move, here's a look at some gay and lesbian films that were endearing and left a lasting impression.
Signalling winds of change, the Supreme Court on Thursday lifted a colonial-era ban on gay sex . A five-judge panel in the Supreme Court was unanimous in its decision to end the law, commonly known a..
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This 2005 film by Onir - who himself has been a vocal LGBTQ activist - was truly way ahead of its time. 'My Brother... Nikhil' treated homosexuality sensitively, minus ugly jokes or sexual innuendos. The gay relationship between Sanjay Suri and Purab Kohli was not designed to shock. With Juhi Chawla and Lillette Dubey in supporting cast, this film tried to do a "normal" act between homosexual lovers, emphasising on the regular couple behaviour.
This 2005 film by Onir - who himself has been a vocal LGBTQ activist - was truly way ahead of its time. 'My Brother... Nikhil' treated homosexuality sensitively, minus ugly jokes or sexual innuendos...
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Sean Penn won the best actor Oscar in 2008 for his gritty depiction of Harvey Milk, an American activist who faces several difficulties while fighting for gay rights. Milk goes on to become California's first openly gay official elected to public office. Directed by Gus Van Sant and written by Dustin Lance Black, the film also stars Josh Brolin as Dan White, a city supervisor who assassinated Milk. The film earned critical acclaim, and bagged numerous awards.
Sean Penn won the best actor Oscar in 2008 for his gritty depiction of Harvey Milk, an American activist who faces several difficulties while fighting for gay rights. Milk goes on to become Californi..
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'Margarita with a Straw', directed by Shonali Bose, released in India in 2014. Kalki Koechlin played the role of an Indian teen with cerebral palsy who relocates to America for her studies. There she comes of age following her complex relationship with a blind girl, played by Sayani Gupta. Tamil actress Revathi, Kuljeet Singh, and William Moseley played supporting roles. Bose co-wrote the film along with Nilesh Maniyar.
'Margarita with a Straw', directed by Shonali Bose, released in India in 2014. Kalki Koechlin played the role of an Indian teen with cerebral palsy who relocates to America for her studies. There she..
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The American romantic teen comedy-drama film directed by Greg Berlanti released earlier this year. Written by Isaac Aptaker and Elizabeth Berger, it's sourced from Becky Albertalli's novel 'Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda'. The film stars Nick Robinson, Josh Duhamel, and Jennifer Garner. It revolves around Simon Spier, a closeted gay high school boy who is forced to balance his friends, his family, and the blackmailer threatening to reveal his sexual identity to the entire school, while simultaneously attempting to discover the identity of the anonymous classmate with whom he has fallen in love online.
Critics praised the film that premiered at the 2018 Mardi Gras Film Fest for its "big heart, diverse and talented cast, and revolutionary normalcy". It also clocked $66.3 million worldwide at the box office.
The American romantic teen comedy-drama film directed by Greg Berlanti released earlier this year. Written by Isaac Aptaker and Elizabeth Berger, it's sourced from Becky Albertalli's novel 'Simon vs...
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Clint Eastwood's politico drama upset many former FBI agents when it released in 2011. And this was primarily because the film dropped ample hints of an abiding love between the FBI founder J Edgar Hoover and his aide Clyde Tolson. Leonardo DiCaprio played a vulnerable Hoover while Armie Hammer is his aide Tolson. Eastwood, in the director's seat, brought to life a man divided by the personal and the political, and tries to show a 20th-century titan who with secrets and bullets and subterfuge built a formidable information network.
Clint Eastwood's politico drama upset many former FBI agents when it released in 2011. And this was primarily because the film dropped ample hints of an abiding love between the FBI founder J Edgar H..
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It was India's first film on homosexual love, and caused a huge uproar for bringing the 'taboo' subject to the big screen.
Deepa Mehta's 1996 film, starring Shabana Azmi and Nandita Das, went viral at a time when there was no social media.
The film, telling the story of two sisters-in-law who fall in love with each other, premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival.
It only opened in mainstream cinemas in the country in 1998.
It was India's first film on homosexual love, and caused a huge uproar for bringing the 'taboo' subject to the big screen.
Deepa Mehta's 1996 film, starring Shabana Azmi and Nandita Das, went viral ..
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This 2015 drama directed by Todd Haynes tells the story of a forbidden affair between an aspiring female photographer and an older woman going through a difficult divorce in 1950s New York. Based on the 1952 romance novel 'The Price of Salt' by Patricia Highsmith, it stars Cate Blanchett, Rooney Mara, Sarah Paulson, Jake Lacy, and Kyle Chandler.
This 2015 drama directed by Todd Haynes tells the story of a forbidden affair between an aspiring female photographer and an older woman going through a difficult divorce in 1950s New York. Based on ..
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Luca Guadagnino’s coming-of-age film follows the journey of a seventeen-year-old and his affair with his father's 24-year-old graduate student, in 1980s Italy.
Timothée Chalamet and Armie Hammer deliver outstanding performances as the film beautifully manages to avoid the cliches about gay love.
Luca Guadagnino’s coming-of-age film follows the journey of a seventeen-year-old and his affair with his father's 24-year-old graduate student, in 1980s Italy.
Timothée Chalamet and Armie Hammer del..
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A movie that way way ahead ot its time, 'Brokeback Mountain, till date remains on of Heath Ledger’s most celebrated performance.
The 2005 Ang Lee film, a beautiful adaptation of a short story written in 1997 by Annie Proulx, tells the story of a forbidden relationship between two cowboys - Jake Gyllenhaal and Heath Ledger.
A movie that way way ahead ot its time, 'Brokeback Mountain, till date remains on of Heath Ledger’s most celebrated performance.
The 2005 Ang Lee film, a beautiful adaptation of a short story writt..
This Saturday, the club is hosting the cuisine of the Chettiars from the coastal town of Poompuhar, Tamil Nadu. Steering away from routine chicken Chettinad at restaurants, the tale at this table will revolve around flood-stricken seafarer community of Chettiars whose culinary history was influenced by Burmese, Cambodian and Vietnamese cuisines.
Food writer Priya Bala says, “Restaurants are trying hard to win customers with short-lived gimmicks and Instagram food. Food goes way deeper than presentation. It has a narrative that comes from an organic space which engages the diner and gratifies the chef.”
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Bala too hosted a communal table at the club where she served conflict cuisine from war-torn Sri Lanka. She narrated stories of terror and deprivation from her country while serving dishes like Jaffna koozh or stew made with a humble medley of small fish to vadas sold by war widows.
BFF Alert! SRK-Kajol-KJo, Dhoni-Raina Give Major Friendship Goals
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Life can be hard, but good friends always keep you afloat.
Same goes for these celebrity best friends. In this small world, these celebrities met each other during the most crucial stage of their lives, and have vowed to stay together till eternity.
On Friendship day, here's a look at the inseparable celebrity best pals of all time.
Life can be hard, but good friends always keep you afloat.
Same goes for these celebrity best friends. In this small world, these celebrities met each other during the most crucial stage of..
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A good friend knows all your stories, but a best friend has lived them with you.
This line stands true for Shah Rukh Khan (left), Kajol (centre) and Karan Johar. Their journey of friendship began with 'Dilwale Dulhaniya Lejayenge' in 1995, and they have been together since.
A good friend knows all your stories, but a best friend has lived them with you.This line stands true for Shah Rukh Khan (left), Kajol (centre) and Karan Johar. Their journey of friendship began with..
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Cricketers Suresh Raina and Mahendra Singh Dhoni have been inseparable from the time they started their sporting careers. Not just that, the wives and daughters of the sports stars bond really well and ensure they spend more time together.
Cricketers Suresh Raina and Mahendra Singh Dhoni have been inseparable from the time they started their sporting careers. Not just that, the wives and daughters of the sports stars bond really well a..
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In Pic: (L-R) Sonam Kapoor, Karisma Kapoor, Kareena Kapoor Khan and Natasha Poonawala
This girl gang have been a social media hit. They party, brunch and holiday together. Dressed in their best, they rule the fashion brigade.
In Pic: (L-R) Sonam Kapoor, Karisma Kapoor, Kareena Kapoor Khan and Natasha PoonawalaThis girl gang have been a social media hit. They party, brunch and holiday together. Dressed in their best, they ..
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Ranbir Kapoor (left), who likes to live a low-key life, believes true friends help you remain grounded. And, he shares that bond with Ayan Mukherjee. Their strong bond helps each other stay humane and give a reality check.
Ranbir Kapoor (left), who likes to live a low-key life, believes true friends help you remain grounded. And, he shares that bond with Ayan Mukherjee. Their strong bond helps each other stay humane an..
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In Pic: Farah Khan (left) & Sania Mirza
This is one of the most unusual celebrity friendships. Who would've thought a filmmaker and a tennis player would end up being inseparable. They love spending time with each other and hangout whenever they are in the same city.
In Pic: Farah Khan (left) & Sania MirzaThis is one of the most unusual celebrity friendships. Who would've thought a filmmaker and a tennis player would end up being inseparable. They love spending t..
Kanishka Sharma, founder of the Supper Club, traced her own culinary journey from making maggi noodles, student days in America making chicken stew with chai masala to preparing lamb broth jelly as a self-taught chef today.
“As food forms an intrinsic part of Bengaluru’s pulse, communal table like ours gets people to try cuisines in a new way and meet new people,” says Sharma, who will host a table narrating conflict kitchen stories from West Bengal-Bangladesh in October.
Expats and foodies have been primary takers of these unusual sitdowns. Like French native Lily Jory, who works at The National Centre for Biological Sciences, Yelahanka. “Food-and-story sitdowns are a great way to spend the weekend, meet likeminded people and make friends. It is a social experience,” says Jory.
